Shloka 54
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
तस्य तच्चरितं दृष्ट्वा संग्रामे भीमकर्मण: । वित्रेसुस्तावका: सर्वे शल्यस्त्वेनं समभ्ययात्,भयंकर कर्म करनेवाले युधिष्ठिरका युद्धमें वह पराक्रम देखकर आपके सारे सौनिक थर्रा उठे; परंतु शल्यने इनपर आक्रमण कर दिया
tasya tac-caritaṃ dṛṣṭvā saṅgrāme bhīma-karmaṇaḥ | vitresus tāvakāḥ sarve śalyas tv enaṃ samabhyayāt ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing that mighty feat of his in the battle—of the doer of dreadful deeds—your entire host was struck with terror; but Śalya advanced straight against him and launched his assault.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how visible courage and prowess can shift the moral balance of an army—fear spreads quickly, yet a resolute leader may counter it by taking decisive action. It reflects the kṣatriya ideal of meeting danger directly rather than yielding to panic.
Sañjaya reports that Yudhiṣṭhira’s formidable performance in battle causes the Kaurava troops to tremble, but Śalya moves forward to confront and attack him, attempting to check that surge of Pandava momentum.